Stranger Things season 5 first look reveals release date (and there's a big twist)

Netflix has officially unveiled the release date for Stranger Things season 5 at TUDUM and fans had better be ready for what's coming.
STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2025
STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2025

It's been a long time coming, but Netflix has finally confirmed when audiences can expect to see new episodes of Stranger Things. As fans know all too well, Stranger Things is one of Netflix's most popular shows of all time - in fact, it's one of the most popular shows of all time, period - and it's been far too long since it's been on-screen.

The show, which took Netflix by storm with its premiere in 2016, unveiled its fourth season in 2022 to major success. The two-part release was a juggernaut that solidified the show as one of the biggest of its generation, breaking records for Netflix and becoming one of the most-streamed shows that the platform has ever seen. And with that success, a fifth season was inevitable.

Now, after a near-three year wait, we finally know when Stranger Things season 5 will premiere.

Stranger Things season 5 release date revealed in jaw-dropping teaser trailer

Netflix has revealed the Stranger Things season 5 release date and there's a big twist. Like the vast majority of Netflix shows, the new season will be split into multiple parts. However this one will be split into three parts, with Volume 1 premiering on November 26, Volume 2 coming at Christmas and the series finale premiering on New Year's Eve. Here are the exact times:

Volume 1: November 26, 5:00 pm PT*
Volume 2: Christmas, 5:00 pm PT*
The Finale: New Year's Eve, 5:00 pm PT*

The announcement came at Netflix's TUDUM event, where the streamer made a lot of exciting announcements about the future of its many upcoming shows (including Wednesday season 2, Squid Game season 3, and of course, Stranger Things season 5). Cast members Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, and Noah Schnapp were in attendance at the event to make the announcement to fans. They also unveiled the first look teaser that confirmed the release date for the final season.

Yeah, it looks like we're in for one heck of a ride! Stranger Things has never shied away from going big and season 5 looks set to go bigger than ever, as the Hawkins gang attempt to save their town from the Upside Down one more time.

The fourth season of the show was its biggest ever as a new, dark threat was revealed. It turns out that No. 1, a.k.a. Vecna, is the mysterious entity responsible for the destruction from the Upside Down over the course of the show's run. He even has control over the Mind Flayer, the creature that possessed Will in season 2 and has maintained an unnerving connection over him since. And the destruction that he caused in season 4 made that one the most tragic season of Stranger Things.

Although Vecna was temporarily defeated in the season 4 finale, his reign of terror is far from over. He successfully managed to open a large gate between Hawkins and the Upside Down, potentially allowing the terrors of the supernatural dimension to spill into the human world. And with that, it's up to Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, Hopper, Joyce, and everyone else living in Hawkins to stand up and fight for their town (and potentially their planet).

Now we know when that fight will officially begin.